Inevitable Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (left) is going up against the bestselling iPad (right). The outcome of that battle will help decide whether Google Android tablets have a shot at eating into Apples market share.??í

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes loaded with Android 3.1, the latest version of Googles tablet-optimized operating system.

Under the hood, the WiFi-only tablet includes a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, the better to power software running on that 10.1-inch screen.

Those whove used an Android smartphone or previous tablet will have little trouble navigating around the Tab 10.1s interface. Seen here, the familiar apps screen.

Inevitably, the Tab 10.1 offers access to the Android Market and its tablet-optimized apps.??í

The Tab 10.1 offers five home-screens on which to arrange widgets and app icons.

The Tab 10.1s 1280 x 800 resolution brings games (such as Angry Birds, seen here) to colorful life.

The tablet includes a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera, paired to a 2-mega-pixel front aperture.

Google services baked into Android 3.1 include Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Android Market.

The Tabs 7,000-mAh battery seemed capable of delivering a full days worth of e-mail, Web cruising and game playing. During intense periods of activity, the casing warms only a little—in contrast to some mobile devices, which become positively hot.??í

Googles music service syncs with the Tab 10.1, offering easy access to your uploaded music collection. With its colorful interface, Google is obviously trying to make this an iTunes competitor.

The Tab 10.1s resolution (and access to e-book services such as the Kindle app) also make it an e-reading platform.